Stilt



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEY STILT Franklin J. Curtis, Washington, Pa.

Application July 8, 1935, Serial No. 30,370

8 Claims. (Cl. 272-701) This invention relates to an improved stilt, and seeks among other objects, to provide a device of this character which may be regulated as to height so that a person learning to walk on stilts may begin at a low level and gradually increase the height of the stilts.

Another object of the invention is to provide la stilt, the height of which may be adjusted with the utmost facility and which, after adjustment, will remain in set position without danger .of displacement.

'A further object of the invention is to provide a stilt having a pawl engageable with a` rack for retaining the stilt in desired position, said pawl beingY retractible by a lever for permitting ready change in adjustment. Y

. A further object of. the invention is to provide a stilt having a tubular member which is formed with graduations so that various heightsof the stilt will be indicated.

VAnd Va'still further object of the invention is tovprovide a stilt having a resilient strap which is adapted snugly to receive a shoe and which strap 'is adjustable for clamping the shoe in rplace on 25 the stilt. l Y

Other andeincidental objects of the invention not specifically mentioned in the foregoing will be apparent as the description .of the invention proceeds. v Y, e e y Y My invention is illustrated inthe accompanying "drawing wherein: Y

YFigure 1 is a side elevation showing my complete stilt and being partly broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical rsectional view of the central portion of the stilt and showing the rack, pawls, and strap employed. Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line ,V3- 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional VView on the line 4 4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral I indicates a shank which is preferably formed from metal pipe andV which may be either round or rectangular in cross section. Formed in the shank at its lower endpor- 'tion are graduations 2 which may be in inches Vand'fractions for indicating the height ofthe body, to be described hereinafter-upon the shank. Carried on the lower end of the shank is a foot 3 which is gradually enlarged toward its lower end like.

and is provided with an axial socket 4. A shoe 5, preferably formed from rubber, is tted about the foot and is tapered toward its upper end so that said shoe will be retained on the foot. The bottom of the shoe is formed with an anti-skid tread 6 and, interiorly of the shoe and rising from the bottom thereof, is a projection l which'is adapted to fit in the socket 4 in the foot. The

shoe is formed preferably of rubber of medium rack 8. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, the shank is shown as being square in cross section but, if desired, the shank maybe round or any other preferred shape. Y

Normally surrounding the shank I and 'shiftable thereon is a stilt body 9 which is preferably formed of medium weight metal and is vofa shape to conform to that of the shank. YThe stilt body 9 comprises a tubular section Ii) which normally surrounds the shank throughout theV major portion of its length and is adapted to project Vtherefrom. Formed Vintegral with the tubular Ysection I0 near its lower end and projecting laterally therefrom is a stirrup or foot plate I I which is adapted to receive the foot of the user. Connecting the outer end of the stirrup with the lower end portion of the section I0 is a diagonally disposed integral bracing arm I2 which is upwardly directed near its outer end to define a casing I3. It should be understood, of course, that the stirrup, brace and tubular section are preferably cast as a single unit.

Associated with the stirrup is an arcuate resilient, preferably metal, securing strap I4 which terminates in a straight downwardly projecting tongue I5 having rack teeth I6 thereon. Carried at the under side of the securing strap is a pad II of preferably soft material. ThepadV I'I is retained in place by means of rivets, bolts, or the The securing strap is pivotally connected to the tubular section I0 near the junction of the stirrup II by means of a pin I8 which passes through the section and stirrup.

As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawing, the interior of the stirrup II is hollow and an opening I9 leads from the interior of the section I0 to the interior of said stirrup. Mounted in the stirrup at the end adjacent the section luis a relatively large latch member or pawl 20 which is formed with a bill 2l of a shape to selectively engage with the rack teeth 8. The latch member is also formed with an arcuate lower wall 22 terminating in a projection 23. A pivot pin 24 Vswirngingly connects the pawl with the stirrup therein. Extending transversely of the stirrup medially of itsY length is a web 25 and closing the Vbottom of the stirrup isa latch plate 26 which is secured in position at the under side of the stirrup by means of a screw 21. A screw 28 locks the inner end ofthe latch plate to a flange 29 which is formed on the tubular section I0. Carried Within the stirrup and mountedon the plate ,26 is an actuating lever 30 having one 'end por- Vtion thereof adaptedl partially to overlie a nger Socket 3I formed in the plate 26; VThe latch mem- Y ber is oblique angular in shape and-is provided With a relatively thick inner end portion 32. As will be seen in Figure 2, the plate v.26 is relatively thick centrally thereof so as to permit the formation of the socket 3l. A pin "'33 .pivot'all'yinounts the latch member 32. When it is desired vto* shift the pawl 20 out of engagement with the'teeth Y8, it is onlyV necessary to engage thefinger nail within Y the-'socket V3| lbeneath the latch member `3fland Y swing said latch member up from theplate along .the arcuate wall 22 of said pawl'into engage- 'ment With'the'projection 23 thereon. As 'soon as the'DB-Wl has beenvdisengagedfrom the tubular Y section,the inner shank and stiltbodyV maybe -for varying the adjustment thereof. ispr-ings 4I are engaged about the pins 33and`40 shifted independently Yto permit the stilt Vbody 36 to assume different heights.

- Carried-at the opposite end ofthe stirrup is a relatively small-pawl 34 which is adapted toV .project Ythrough an opening 35 and engage selectively the rackrteeth yI6 ofthe Vtongue I5. The pawl 34 is pivotall-y mounted'withinthe stirrup Vby-means of a pin 36 and is provided with a projgection 3'I'and an arcuate inner`wallf38. Swingingly mounted within the'plate 2liy atthe'end cp- ,positethe latch 'member 30;is a latch member 39 whichis pivotallymounted'inthe plate 26 by a pinA `4l) vand is adapted to Vhave 'its inner end .swing along the-wall 38 into engagement vwith the projection 31 for permitting rearward shifting movement of the `pawl and consequentretraction of. said pawl from the teeth-Iii. of the pawLof course, Vthe strapv I 4; may be shifted Suitable coil and are adapted for normally retaining the latch members in operative position. VAs in thercase'of the first mentioned latch member, the outerend ,portion-of the latch member 39 is adapted to Apro- .jectinto a -nger socket 42 for permitting ready .engagementof-a finger nail therebeneath so that the latch member may bereadily shifted.

Normally tting in the upper end-portion of the stilt body is a removable top-portion or handle VI3 which is reduced near its -loWer jend to define .a shank 44. Formed in this `shank is a-pair of vertically spaced transverselyextending openings 45.in which are mounted small Vcoil springs 45.

,'Ball friction latches are carried at each ofY the v openings and Varenormally-maintained in-engage- -ment with the inner surface -ofthestilt body IIJ by the coil springs, so-'that the handlewill normally be retained in position in thestilt body.

`In use,kthe stilt body may be adjusted on the shank merely by retractingthe pawl from -the rack Yteeth and shifting said stilt `body Vwith re- ,spect tothe shank a suitable distance, as indicated been done, a foot is inserted -above the stirrup by the-graduationson the shank. vAfter-this has and the strap I4 forced downwardly until it engages the Yfoot withsufiicientpressure to retain .the foot inposition onthe stirrup. The tongue AI5 -may thenbe forced downwardlywithin the vshank having a foot provided with a shoe adapted After retraction t theshank Vfor locking-the-body in a desired posi- -stirrup and engageable with the strap, and means casing I3 the desired distance to accomplish this result. When it is desired to shift the strap I4 it is only necessary to shift the latch member 39 for retracting the pawl 34 from the opening 35 so that the tongue may be shifted Within the casing I3. Y

The device is characterized by the fact Vthat but few working parts are employed. It will thus beV seen that the device Will not easily become broken under hard usage, and m-ay be manufactured cheaply in large quantities to retail at Aan attractive figure. Furthermore, as my improved stilt is-adjustable it provides an ideal arrangement for persons Wishing to learn to walk on stilts for the reason that the height of the stilts may be .raised gradually so that the person ,using them shank adapted for engagement with a support- Y ing surface, a stilt body associated with the shank and having a stirrup, means carried Vby. thefstirvrup and engageable with thejshank for locking the stilt body and'shank ink desired relative-positions, a resilient strap carried by thestirrup 'for Vclampingl ashoe on said stirrup. and a latch-carrried Aby thestirrup for locking saidV strap.

Y 2. A devicer of the class described including'a to engage asupporting surface, a stilt'bodycarried by the shank and provided with a stirrup,

`securinga-shoe thereon, -retractible means Within the stirrup opposite fromthe stilt body for retaining said resilient means in a setposition, and means Within the stirrup for permitting adjust-l ment-of the stilt body with respect to theV shank.

3. A- Ydevice Vof the class ,describedincluding'a shank, Va stilt bodyv slidable on thel shank, said body having astirrup, a resilient strap carried by the body above the stirrup and being adjustable for securing a shoeY thereon, a pawl carriedin the stirrup and engageable through the body iwith tion Yupon the shank, a latch plate closing VtheV bottom of the stirrup, m'eans adapted for swinging the latch member 'out ofengagem'entjwith the shank, a pawl carried in the opposite end o f the `carried by the latch plate and adapted for shifting saidpawl Vout of engagement lwith `the strap for permitting adjustment of said strap.

4. A device of the class described including a. shank having a foot thereon, a shoe rcarried by Ythe shank, said shank being Vprovided With teeth defining arack, a stilt body slidable on the shank and having a stirrup, a latch member carried by the stirrup and adapted for selective engagement With the teeth of the rack for locking the stilt body and shank as a unit, means for shifting the latch member out of engagement with the teeth for permitting relative shifting movement of the Vshank and the stilt body, a strap carried by the stirrup and having a tongue formed with rack teeth, a pawl engageable with the vrack teeth on Vthe tongue for locking the strapand tongue Yin a desired adjusted position, and means engageable `resilientstraprmeans carried by the stirrup Vfor with the pawl for releasing the tongue and per- 7 mitting adjustment of the strap.

5. A device of the class described including a shank having a foot thereon, a shoe carried on the foot, said shank having at one side thereof teeth dening a rack, a stilt body carried on the shank and having a stirrup formed integral therewith, a bracing arm carried by the stilt body and terminating in a casing at the free end of the stirrup, retractible means carried Within the stirrup for connecting the stilt body and shank at a desired position along the length of the shank, said means engaging the rack teeth, a strap carried by the stirrup thereabove and having a depending tongue normally carried Within the casing, a pad carried by the strap, a paWl carried by the stirrup and adapted to project through the casing into engagement with the tongue for retaining the strap in a desired adjusted position, and a latch member carried by the stirrup and engageable with the pawl for retracting said pawl and permitting movement of the tongue.

6, In a stilt, a shank, a stilt body slidable on the shank and having a stirrup, a resilient strap carried by the stirrup and having rack teeth, a pawl engageable with the rack teeth for locking the strap and teeth in a set position, and means engageable with the pawl for releasing the strap and permitting adjustment of the strap.

'7. In a stilt, a shank, a stilt body slidable on the shank and having a stirrup, a resilient strap carried by the stirrup and having a tongue provided With rack teeth, a paWl engageable with the rack teeth for locking the strap and tongue in a desired position, andV a latch member engageable With the paWl for releasing the tongue and permitting adjustment of the strap.

8. In a stilt, a shank having teeth dening a rack, a stilt body carried by the shank and having a stirrup, a latch plate carried by the stirrup, a latch nrember adapted for selective engagement with the rack teeth for locking said body and the shank as a unit, said latch member having a projection and an actuating lever carried by the latch plate and having a relatively thick end portion adapted for engagement With the projection on said latch member for retracting said latch member whereby sliding movement of the stilt body on said shank may take place.

FRANKLIN J. CURTIS. 

